Tokyo Soft Rice King.

"Senior Miao is really amazing..."

"That's just how Ah Miao is. Once she's made up her mind about something, she can put in 120% effort. She gives people the feeling that she can accomplish anything. So when I see her, I feel that I should also give it my all..."

People are changed under the influence of others.

Motoko-sensei, influenced by Ohno-sensei; Moe, influenced by Shiori; Makoto, influenced by Makoto; Mirai, influenced by Akiko; Kokoro, influenced by Kurenai; Haruka, influenced by Kuroo; and the class president and Shion, who influence each other...

This relationship is like that of two sides of the same coin, an inseparable destiny.

Ultimately, through the intertwining of Kuroba Akira, a vast network of relationships was formed.

"In short, with A-Miao's help, we should be able to figure out how to get through tomorrow."

"Yes, thanks to you all... Oh, by the way, I asked my sister, and she said that Kikuhime lives at Hakusan Shrine, so we should be able to see her there."

Kuroba Akira continued talking about something that hadn't been mentioned before, which was also the most crucial information for Tsukimi Rii.

"That's it? You think I didn't go looking for it? Of course, it's because I couldn't find it even if I went, that's why I..."

“I guessed that too, so I asked my sister why you, as the agent, couldn’t see Kikurihime. She said that you and I are in the same situation, and that we should just do nothing... or rather, let nature take its course.”

"So your sister means that I'm doing something useless?"

"You could even say that you're doing the opposite of what you intended. Because you wanted to see Kikuhime, you severed many connections, and in the end, you're only pushing Kikuhime further and further away from her."

"..."

Tsukimi Ryou remained silent. In fact, when Kuroba Akira brought up other possibilities, she had already wondered if her actions had backfired. Now, Kuroba Akira's words confirmed that.

Because Kikuri ultimately advised herself not to use her power anymore, perhaps not for a final farewell, but for a reunion...

However, Tsukimi Ranyi felt very lost, unsure of what to do next.

If continuing to be an actor or an idol is meaningless, then what should I do?

She never really thought about her own affairs.

"After that, I asked my sister if there were any other ways, and she said, 'You are missing your own red thread.'"

"What? The red line? What does this have to do with the red line?"

"I don't know the specifics either... I wanted to keep asking, but because of Senior Miao, I woke up from my dream... How about I ask her for you after I fall asleep later?"

"...Never mind, even if I know the reason, whether or not I believe it is up to me."

If I also have a red thread, will I be able to see Kikuri again?

It sounds like baseless nonsense, or even a trap.

Because if we're talking about the man who's currently closest to Tsukimi Ran, then it's only Kuroba Akira.

Could it be that his sister said those things to help her brother seduce yet another woman?

Anyway, it's probably not that Kuroba Akira just had a sudden urge to take another woman, since he's currently troubled by having too many women around him.

If it were the old Tsukimi, Ayane would never have believed such a baseless claim, but this was a method that Kuroba Akira specifically sought out for her sake...

So she wanted to try to believe it.

"Why can you trust your sister so much? She's not even your real sister, is she?"

"Of course I believe her, because she was originally meant to replace me as the god. If she wanted to, she could have taken my body or even erased my soul, but she didn't. She even made a lot of efforts to prevent me from being persecuted by my sister... She's gone to such lengths, so I can only believe her."

"Don't you find it strange? Why would she help you like this?"

"I could feel her emotions... her loneliness."

Words can lie, but feelings can't.

"My sister is the only remaining head of the Yamata no Orochi. Afterwards, she was regarded as an ominous evil god and was sealed away. In the past, those who bore the name of Black Feather like me were also secretly executed. I was the only exception, so she must not want to be alone anymore."

"...Don't you want to be alone...?"

Tsukimi Rimi is able to empathize with her feelings.

This feeling is probably exactly the same as the reason why she pursued Kikuri so desperately.

"I understand... the red thread, right?"

Tsukimi Ryou looked directly into Kuroba Akira's eyes and said with determination.

"I will try to make myself like you."

"Uh? It's not like you have to establish a romantic relationship with me... Besides, I'm your agent, so you can't see the line between us, right?"

"That's true, but now that things have come to this, it's impossible for me to find another man, because I've lost my 'men's charm'."

"Huh? Did you sever all ties with men?"

"Because it's so annoying. After all, why should I have any contact with those men who are obviously approaching me because of my face? What good does it do me?"

"You're going too far..."

"You, who are bound by the red thread of fate, have no right to speak to me."

Kuroba Akira was speechless after being choked up. The two of them were like two extremes: one was too popular with women, and the other had zero popularity with men.

"Although I can't see the thread of fate connecting us, as long as I truly fall in love with you, it should be able to tie a red thread together, right?"

"Didn't you ever consider the possibility that I wouldn't accept it...?"

"You even accepted Ah Miao, but not me?! You bastard gigolo! Since you're a scumbag, don't treat me differently! Stop lusting after every pretty woman!"

"..."

This is the first time I've received such unreasonable criticism.

Kuroba Akira thought to herself, "What's going on here... Why am I being accused of not being a womanizer enough by a popular female celebrity who has rejected all men?"

After saying that, Tsukimi Ryou also felt it was outrageous, and she held her forehead, looking like she was in menstrual cramps.

"Sigh... never mind, I don't even know how I came to like you..."

What kind of feeling is liking someone?

Lan Yi has never played a girl in love before, so this is a complete blind spot for her.

Kuroba Akira recalled his sister saying that he could make Tsukimi Ryoui fall in love with him first, and that might be the key.

When you truly fall in love with someone, loving them is loving yourself.

Only those who are empty-minded care about what they lack, while the sun doesn't care how much light it shines.

"By the way, you'd better stay by my side during this time."

"What? You were so reluctant just now, and now you want to keep me by your side? What's wrong with you?"

“According to my sister, my sister is very likely to hurt you.”

"Wow...Is she targeting me?"

"Yes, I don't want you to be in any danger. The class monitor and the others won't endanger your personal safety, but Xiaoguang might actually use a knife..."

The yandere younger sister is now confirmed.

Kuroba Akira now also feels that it might be better to control Hikari in advance.

They should at least be isolated and observed.

Otherwise, if she really develops a yandere tendencies and starts a fight between women, then it will be too late to turn things around.

Let's forget about starting a story in the prime of youth.

"I see... Then you should protect me. Maybe I'll fall for you because of the suspension bridge effect, and I'll defend against other people's attacks with A-Miao. That way, you'll develop some feelings for me too."

"Actually, I already have some feelings for you..."

"That's not enough. Since the goal is to make you fall in love with me, I must be number one... At the very least, I must make you like me more than you like Murasaki no Miyako no Shion, more than anyone else!"

　"That seems unlikely..."

"Tsk, don't you dare undermine my confidence! Just you wait and see!"

Tsukimi Ranyi gave Kuroba Akira an elbow strike, and Kuroba Akira winced in pain, clutching his hand.

In any case, things have finally made some progress.

Chapter 453 Next, it's our turn.

On the second day of his hot spring trip, Kuroba Akira opened his eyes, having slept without a dream.

Last night, after chatting with Tsukimi Ryou, we went back to sleep. We slept side by side in the classic "川" (river) shape, with Kuroba Akira still sleeping in the middle.

He was used to sleeping in the middle, since he always slept in the middle at Takanashi's house, and when he woke up he was being hugged on both sides, and both of his arms were numb from being used as pillows.

The same situation occurred when sharing a bed with Shion, but later they slept more often in each other's arms... because Shion preferred to face him, even though it was hot, and often they didn't need to cover themselves with a blanket. Shion was Kuroba Akira's blanket.

However, Kuroba Akira was a little puzzled as to why Tsukimi Ran-i didn't sleep in the middle. After asking her, she told Kuroba Akira with a mischievous smile that he would know the reason by morning.

Now, Kuroba Akira truly understands the reason.

Before me lay... a dark abyss.

My neck hurts terribly, even worse than a stiff neck.

It took Kuroba Akira three seconds to realize that he was being strangled by scissor legs.

Goodness, how can someone sleep so completely upside down? And she's even hugging one of her own legs... This must be what they call a chokehold.

No wonder Tsukimi Ran-i didn't want to sleep next to her best friend; it turns out she didn't want to be made uncomfortable by her wrestling techniques.

Tsukimi Ran's sleeping posture was very well-behaved; she remained lying flat all night.

Kuroba Akira tried to pry open the thighs that were locking his neck, but it was no use; Senior Sister Myo's leg strength was quite formidable.

With no other option, Kuroba Akira could only blow air into the darkness in front of him.

"Hehe... Kuroba-kun...it's so itchy..."

Feeling itchy, Myoen Yomi squeezed her thighs together, and the neck restraint automatically dissipated. Kuroba Akira took the opportunity to pull away and gave her the bedding.

After getting up, Kuroba Akira pressed the back of his neck and turned his head left and right, making a series of creaking sounds.

"what……"

Kuroba Akira sighed, glanced at the time, and realized it was only a little past five in the morning, meaning he had only slept for a little over three hours.

But I wasn't sleepy at all.